Toy



A. H. DE VOE.

TOY.

APPLICATION FILED NOV26| 1920.

Patented Sept.. 26, 1922 INVENToR v ATTQRNEY WITNESSES:

Patented Sept. 26, 1922.

UNETED- STATES ALBERT HARRISON DE VOE, OF WES'IFELD, NEW JERSEY.

TOY.

Application led November26, 1920. Serial No. 426,559.

To all w 7mm it may concern,

Be it .known that I, ALBERT Von, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vestiield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey,'have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toys, lofwhich the following is a specification;

This invention relates to improvements in amusement devices more particularly in the nature of .toys or games.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved amusement device resembling a watch and of a form readily permitting it to be carried in a garment pocket or in a reticule.

Another object ofthis invention is to provide a toy or gaine of this character, which upon manual manipulation presents to view, in an indeterminate manner, one or more of a plurality of symbols, characters, expres-l sions and the like which may individually, successively or unitedly produce an amusing and. entertaining result, or which may be employed for educational purposes.

A further 4object ofthis inventiony is to provide an indicating' toy or game of the kind referred' to with adjusting means whereby the view ofcertain' of the symbols, etc. may be temporarily obstructed when it is not desired to employ the same.

The invention has also for its object to provide an indicatingtoy or game of this character capable of being sustained and manipulated by either or both hands 0f an operator7 or which may be manipulated while in a garment pocket and brought to view'without disturbing'the position of the symbol or symbols attained by such manipulation.

The invention also kcomprehends means for maintaining` the position of the symbol or symbols and the like in the interval between successive manipulations of the toy.

Other yobjects 'off the invention will be apparent from the@ following description and claims.

To the attainment of the several objects of the present invention, the preferred einbodiment thereof comprises a casing resembling a watch and offwhvich the op-y c j 'too plan view with the upper .casing and f shutter removed. Fig. 4f is a view similar posed faces are provided with apertures Journaled within the casingare disks-posi tioned- `closely adjacent the inner surfaces l bol-carrying disk to better show the actuat- -ing mechanism. Fig. 5 is a bottom planl `view lwith the-lower casing partly broken,

of said opposed faces and upon whichfdisks aresymbols, characters, expressions, messages and-the like arranged at proper radial.

' arranged in groups.

distances to bringtliem into alinement with` the face-apertures designed for viewing the` symbol or expression appearing thereunder,

the remainder being hidden by tliecasiiig.

In order -to relatively inovevthe apertures and the symbols appearing thereunder, in an vindeterminate manner, to position dif ferent symbols under the respective apertures, the disks are carried by a spindle journaled in the casing and mechanism is provided for spinning the disks van indeterminate distance in one direction and then in a reverse direction, the reverse movement being` abruptly terminated by a suitable stop-device. Projecting through the casing is a linger. upon depression of which the disks are set in motion for' the purpose described and which finger maybe readily manipulated to this end by and while 'sustaining the toy in an operators ltionally maintained in itsadjusted position.

ln a modification herein illustrated two disks are positioned so that symbols of each thereof are indicated and the disks are so arranged that they may move in unison ory one independently of the other. In the latter instance, the one disk is preferably disk. t .Y

Inthe accompanying drawings, Fig.. 1 is a plan view which may be arbitrarily ytermed Zas. a Atop-plan7 the plane surface l'shown in .this ligure being hereinafter,

termed the top or upperysurface yfor the sake of clearness. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the shutter shown detached. Fig. 3 is to Fig-3 but alsoy omitting the upper sym'I away to show a portion of the lower disk. Fie. 6 is a sectional View substantially on the line -m, Fig. 7. Fig. 7vis a sectional view substantially on the line /-y, of Fig. 1, shown enlarged. Fig. 8 is a'detail perspective view of' the actuating mechanism. Fig. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a modified form of disk arrangement.

Referring to the drawings, the toy or 10 game in the preferred embodiment, comprises a casing constructed'in two sections, of which the upper section 1 is substantially flat andterminates in a peripheral, substantially circular fiange 2. The lower section 3 is of a form similar to the section '1, but having its peripheral flange formed with a laterally offset rib 4- throughout its circumference. The rib Il 'frictionally embraces the flange 2 as particularly lillustrated in Fig. 7 to unite the two sections into a form closely7 resembling a watch. The section 1 is provided with indicating means comprisinga group of apertures as 5, a second, group of apertures, as 6, an elongated aperture 7 and an arcuate slot 8, while the section v3 has an elongated apei` ture 9, all for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Each of the apertures of group 5 are radially equidistant andare radially non-equidistant with respectr to the radially equidistant apertures of group 6. lt is to be understood. however. that broadly the invention is not. limited to the precise form and arrangement of the apertures reterred to as they may obviously be formed and arranged in any desired manner.

Positioned closely adjacent the vinner flat surface of section 1 ofthe casing and journaled-upon a hub 10 formed substantially centrally thereof is a shutter 11 provided with a pluralitj.1 et peripheral. lugs.

as 12. These lugs 12 project through slits;-

13,1ormed in the flange 2 and trictionally engage the walls of these slits to :retain the shutter in adjusted positions. The shutter is formed with groups of apertures 14 and 15 and with an elongated Aaperture 1S corresponding in spacing` and radial distances to enable them to be alined respectively with apertures 5, 6 and 7 in the casing. Projecting from the shutter 11 and through the arcuate slot S is a stud 17 by vrv.means of which the shutter may be aojusted. ln the position of the stud 17 as shown in Figfll, the apertures 5 `oi" the casing and 14 of the shutter coincide, while the remaining apertures in section 1 are `closed by the body of the shutter. moving stud y17 counter-clockwise to a point half waybetweenthe position of Fig. 1 and the end of the slot. the apertures 5 are closedand the apertures G are opened by `alirmment Vtherewith rot the lapertures 15 of the shutter. ,ln both of these positions e5 the elongatet'l aperture 7 is closed, but by now moving the stud still further and to the extreme end of the slot, both apertures 5 and e are closed while the aperture 7 is opened. lt will thus be seen that all of the apertures of one group may be closed and those of another group opened simultaneously.

A spindle 18 is formed withreduced ends 18"L journaled in sections 1 and 3 of the casing, which sections are preferably slightly enlarged centrally of their outer faces to afford armer bearing for the spindle. A. portion 18h otthespindle adjacent the upper of the reduced ends 1S thereo't isslightly larger than the end 1S, butis of less diameter than the main portion 'of the spindle and thereby affords a shoulder' against which is rigidly forced a peripherally serrated disk 19 forming one member of coacting stop` devices to be laterreli'erred to. Secured in superposed relation upon disk 19 by screws as 20. is a spacing washer 2l and symbol carrying disk 22,. Theupper face of this disk`22 may carry a plurality of numbers, letters, characters, expressions, messages and the like, which areherein termed symbols for the sake of simplicity and are arranged so that certaingroups of th em may be viewed through the several apertures, when'opened as deseribed. ltgwill be obvious that rotation of the spindl,e.18 will position different combinations of Ithese symbols in alinement with the apertures and that symbols may be provided producing` a very amusing and en tertaining combination. For instance, the mere arrangement ot letters of the alphabet may produce..y amusing ,combinations of words; numbers may be employed to teach arithmetical problems. oracular signscorresponding with interpretation books 4eithea specially provided or of long standing may be employed, likewise messages. dominees &c. llpouthe opposite end of the spindle is secured another disk 23 positioned adjacent the inner surface ofthe lowersection 3 of the casing. Symbols carried by 'this disk may ybe viewed through the aperture 9 which is constantly open. .f

lt is of course preferable in a toy 4of this character to'provide meansl whereby the stopping position of the disks-fis manually indeterminate- To this'end a special drivingdevice for thespindleis employedy which will now be described in detail. A segmental plate 2e is positioned within the casing by means ofl a pin 25 on the latter enteringa notch 26. i-n theplate. The circularedge of the plate'24 rests upon a shoulder 27 formed on section 3y of the casing and is held there upon by the flange `2 of section 1. Pivotally supportedfupon opposite 'sides of the plate 24, by means of a stud-screw '28 passing.

through an aperture 29, are two operating ordriving arms 39 and 31 having pivotal apertures ,32. and 33; Thearm' 30 is formed With an operating finger 34, projecting through a slot 35 `formed in section 3 of the casing and in convenient position for manipulation. The free end of arm 30 isoprovided with anapertured, offset ear 36 to which is secured one-end of a flexible driving element 37 embracing the spindle 18v and of which the otherend is secured to a simil-ar ear 38 provided on thearm. 31. In order to tension the driving element and cause n to frictionally grip the spindle 18, the free end of the arm 30 is yieldingly urged away from the spindle by means of a spring 39, of which one end is secured upon the plate 24 and the other end bears against` a lug 40 formed on the arm 30, the spring intermediate its ends beinggsustained by a pin 41 on the plate 24. Likewise the free end ofthe arm 31 is yieldingly urged away from the spindle but` in the opposite direction runder, thefaction of a spring 42 of which one end is secured upon the arm 30 and of whichthe other end bears against al lug 43 provided on thearm 31, .the `spring intermediate its ends being afforded a fulerum pointby the screw 44 threaded intothe arm 30.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the normal tendency is to maintain the flexible element 37 ,in driving engagement with the spindle 13` and that4 under the action of the springv39, the operating finger 34 is normallyprojected beyond the casing, ready for manipulation, as illustrated .in the several .figuresin'the accompanying drawings. During manipulation, when the linger 34 is depressed, the arms 30 and 31 maintain their angular relationship under the springaction described and consequently the spindle 18 iseaused to revolve due to the frictional grip thereupon of the flexible element 37. However, the ear 38 is in alinement with the plate 24 and upon contact therewith, the angular relationship of the arms 30 and 31 is destroyed, thereby slackening the driving ,element 37 and permitting free rotation of the spindle under the induced -momentum lVhen` the finger 34 is now released, the arms 30 and 31 immediately resume their angular relationship and thereby causea reverse rotation ofthe spindle 1S by the action of the spring 39 to return the parts to their original position determined by thezengagement of arm 30 with the casing. In attaining this position, a pin 45 provided on the arm 31 enters a serration on the stop disk 19 heretofore referred to, which not only serves to maintain the spindle 18 stationary between successive manipulations of the operating finger, but also insures correct alinement of the symbols with the open casing apertures.

A While the momentum induced in the spindle is to some extent dependent upon the speed of depression of the operating finger, it will be readily apparent 'that the. stopping positioncan iunowise be predetermined -manually and therefore the symbol or. group -ofsymbols appearing/.to view produce theunexpected and amusing results so essential in a toy of this character.

In the modification illustrated in l? 9fof the drawings, the casing comprising the sections 1 and 3 may be of the same general form as in the preferred embodiment described. In the modification, however, the spindle 46, which may be driven in substantially the same manner `as the spindle 18, is not directly journaled in the casing,y but is axially apertured for the reception ofthe shank of a disk-shiftingpin 47whieh also passes through the usual journal aperture in the casing and thereby forms an axle of the spindle. Suitably secured upon the pin 47 isa secondary symbol-carrying disk 43, from the opposite faces of which projects ay stud 49. In` theposition illustrated in Fig; 9, thestud 49 is entered in a suitable aperture in the usual symbol-carrying disk 22, whereby it is caused to partake of the rotary movements ofthe latter. After manipulation of the spindle -actuating means, the symbols of both disks 22 and 48 maybe indicatedb'y' or viewed through apertures, as 50 and 51, owing to the shorter diameter ofdisk 43. Now should itbe desired to throw disk 43 out ofoperation, it is diseonnectedfrom its driving means by merely pulling on the pin 47, thus disengaging the stud 49 from the disk 22. The stud v49 may now be seated in an aperture 52 provided in the casing whereby the disk 48'isrheld stationarylduring manipulation of the disk 22. In other words, a symbol or group of symbols indicated by disk 48 following rotation thereof with disk 22 may be maintained in indicated positionwhile other symbols are indicated on disk 22'for combination reading.

The operation of the toy will be readily apparent from the foregoing description and aresumethereof is deemed unnecessary. It is to bev understood that important features of this toy are its portability in a garment pocket or reticule; its watch-like design ren-l dering it rappealing Ato children; its simi plicity of construction its ease'of manipulation byl compression of yan operators hand or by the operators fingers, and its` un-r expected results, and that various modifications in the precise form and arrangement may readily be made and remain within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim herein is- 1. A toy including a plurality of symbols, a plurality of indicating devices, means for relatively moving the symbols and said indicating devices for the purpose of relatively repositioning the symbols and the indicating devices, and adjusting means for at Will rendering a portion of saidl indicating devices temporarily ineffective. Y

2. A toy comprising a casing provided with a symbol-vieiving aperture, a symbol- 'carrying disk sustained by said casing,

` gaged tromu'said disk during the spinning thereof acting to automatically arrest the rotation of said disk to aline symbols With said apertures.

4. A toy comprising a` casing provided with radially non-equidistant groups ot radially equidistant apertures, symbols posi? tioned for view through said apertures, and means for simultaneously closing all the apertures of a group.

6. A toy comprising a casing provided with groups ot apertures, symbols positioned for view through said apertures, and means for closing the apertures of one group and simultaneously opening the apertures of an` other group.

6. A toy having a Watch-like casing provided With an aperture in each of the opposite 'faces thereof, symbols positioned for view through said apertures, andmeans for repositioning said symbols vvith'respect to said apertures in an indeterminate manner. 7. A toy comprising a Watch-like casing, a plurality of disks Journaled Within said casing, va plurality of symbols carried by each of said disks, means permitting a vievv through opposite sides vot the casing of only a portion of said symbols carried by the disk adjacent thereto, and means for rotating said disks.

8. An indicating toy having a casing, a rotary spindle journaled in said casing, and means for rotating thespindle including a flexible driving element embracing said spindle,pivotally supported operating arms connected with opposite ends of said driving element, means for yieldingly maintaining the free ends of said arms in position to tension said driving element to thereby cause said driving element to permit 'tree rota` tion ol2 the spindle, and an operating linger projecting beyond the casing.

l0.' An indicating toy having 'a casing, a rotary spindle journaled in said casing, and means for rotating the spindle including a flexible' driving element frictionally gripping th'e spindle to rotate the same in reverse directions. and coacting stop devices for normally maintaining the spindle stationary. y

ll. Angindicating toy having a casing, a

rotary spindle journaled in said casing, and

means For rotatingthe spindle including a flexible driving element frictionally gripping the spindle to rotate the same in reversedirect-ions, an operating linger projecting beyond the casing, means `permitting sudden release of said driving element to allon7 free rotation of the spindle, and coacting stop devices for normally maintaining the spindle stationary.

12. A toy including a plurality of symbolcarrying disks, indicating devices for the symbols ot each or said disks, means for rotating said disks in unison, means for tl'iroiving one oit' said disks out of operative relation with its rotating means, and a device 'for maintaining the inoperative disk stationary While actuating said driving means.

13. A toy including a symbol-carrying element, an indicating device tor the symbols of said element, actuating means for relatively moving the element and the indicating device for indicating different symbols, and means for rendering said actuating means ineffective.

In testimony whereof I aiX my signature.

ALBERT HARRISON DE VOE. 

